Hard skills get you hired but soft skills will get you promoted

Here are 10 soft skills in demand, that will accelerate your career (and how to show them)

TheFinanceNewsletter.com
3 min readFeb 16, 2024
Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash

Hard skills get you hired.

But soft skills will get you promoted.

Here are 10 soft skills in demand, that will accelerate your career (and how to show them):

1. Time Management:

Juggling competing priorities is essential in fast-paced jobs.

We all get the same 24 hours. Use them wisely.

Planning your day ahead will help reduce stress and get more done.

Display time management by mapping out plans to meet deadlines, minimizing wasted effort, and continuously reevaluating how you spend your time.

2. Communication:

Effective communication is the backbone of successful teamwork and leadership.

Being able to talk and write clearly so everyone understands you is key.

Strong communication skills enable you to clearly convey ideas, actively listen, provide thoughtful feedback, and tailor your message to different audiences.

Demonstrate this by being an engaged participant in meetings, paraphrasing back key points, and crafting emails and reports that get ideas across succinctly.

3. Emotional Intelligence:

Understanding the feelings of others will help you navigate workplace challenges.

High emotional Intelligence individuals are empathetic, self-aware, and excel at building strong relationships.

Develop empathy. Put yourself in others’ shoes, listen actively, and show understanding and compassion.

4. Leadership:

You don’t have to be the boss to be a leader.

Helping guide your team through a tough project or standing up for good ideas shows leadership.

Demonstrate your leadership potential by mentoring colleagues, heading new initiatives once you’ve proven yourself, and leading brainstorming sessions that draw out solutions.

5. Teamwork:

Working well with others is a must.

It’s not just about being friendly. It’s about listening, sharing ideas, and supporting teammates.

Collaboration is the cornerstone of any organization, and being a team player is a sought-after soft skill.

Employers want individuals who can work well with others, share ideas, and contribute to a positive work environment.

To show your teamwork skills, participate in group projects, be open to others’ opinions, and offer support when needed.

6. Problem-Solving:

When things go wrong, don’t panic.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.

The ability to analyze issues logically, question conventional approaches, identify the causes, and create solutions is hugely valuable.

Provide evidence of your critical thinking by breaking complex problems into manageable steps, weighing pros and cons thoroughly before deciding, and highlighting gaps in existing processes.

7. Growth Mindset:

A passion for learning and openness to feedback will keep you continuously improving.

Embrace opportunities to gain new skills, absorb and implement critiques from your manager, and proactively solicit input on how you can strengthen your contributions.

8. Public Speaking:

Confidently presenting to internal and external audiences is great for visibility.

Improve your public speaking by practicing beforehand, structuring remarks, and conveying passion.

9. Adaptability:

Being able to adapt to new situations and challenges is a must.

Being flexible, open-minded, and embracing change — rather than stuck in your views — allows you to thrive in fast-paced workplaces.

Highlight your adaptability by adjusting smoothly to new workflows, volunteering for assignments outside your comfort zone, and proposing innovative approaches.

10. Resilience:

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude in the face of adversity.

Employers value employees who can handle stress, learn from their mistakes, and continue to perform at a high level.

To demonstrate resilience, maintain a growth mindset, learn from your experiences, and focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems.

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TheFinanceNewsletter.com

I write TheFinanceNewsletter.com for 50,000 subscribers. My expertise comes from real-world knowledge, sharpened by 15 years working on Wall Street and Banking.